The Transpersonal Spectrum in the work of Stanislav Grof

Diego Pignatelli

Stan Grof’s broad framework forms a detailed category of transpersonal experience (Grof S., The Adventure of Self-Discovery, Albany, N.Y., State University New York Press, 1988.) OOBE, clairvoyance, telepathy, channelling, time travelling outside the normal channels, holographic travelling and parallel universes are just some of the arguments that pervade the copious spectrum of transpersonal phenomena. Other universes exist in connection with our universe, outside the conventional channels. Another phenomenon is that of NDEs (Near Death Experiences) in correlation with the phenomena of NOSC (Non Ordinary States of Consciousness) (Bache C., Dark Night, Early Dawn, SUNY, University of New York Press, 2000.) One of Grof’s main contributions is his theoretical and eschatological constructions of BPMs (basic perinatal matrices) which act as sequential dynamics inside the spectrum of phenomena. It is possible to have embryonic and foetal experiences as a temporal expansion of consciousness, followed by ancestral, phylogenetic and collective experiences, karmic memories and memories of past lives like collective events, archetypal experiences and complex mythological sequences.

Experiences of the consciousness’s spatial dilation as a transcendence of the normal confines of the ego and the identification with people in dual unity experiences lead towards a planetary and extra-planetary consciousness until, with the help of imagination and holographs, we reach OOBE and spatial travelling.

Holographic trips are part of a highly transpersonal experience. They are holotropic to use one of Stanislav Grof’s terms.

If we focus on these experiences then pre-cognitive, telepathic, clairvoyant and astral OOBE and time travelling phenomena open up. At the same time we come across mediumistic experiences and encounters with other beings or superhuman beings. It is possible to encounter inhabitants of other universes and encounter various divinities which lead us to an intuitive understanding of the symbols of the universe by activating the cosmic consciousness and kundalini chakras until we reach the meta-cosmic void. Reviewing these categories as transpersonal domains we open the door to the great holotropic universe introduced by Stanislav Grof. We can observe how these experiences are possible according to Grof in a universe where everything is possible within the technology of consciousness.

There are other universes, perhaps other parallel realities which are the subject of transpersonal studies according to the wide range of Grof’s experience. Chris Bache, professor of Religious Studies at Youngstown University links Grof’s ample terminology to the experiences of mystical types of non ordinary states of consciousness, reviewing the study of BPM matrices and NDE. Chris has managed to find interesting parallels to the interface between both phenomena. As matter is the interface of anti-matter and the two represent a unicum in consciousness, so the two phenomena identified by Bache appear as a superimposed interface (Bache, C.M., A Perinatal Interpretation of Frightening Near-Death Experiences. A Dialogue with Kenneth Ring.)

The figure of Shiva also reoccurs in the mythology often used by Grof, as the interface between consciousness and is represented by Thanatos, the destructive and mortal force of the god. If we take the metaphor of Thanatos and Eros, we can construct a parallel between NDE and BPM, between the experience of death and rebirth. This life/death interface is recurrent in Stanislav Grof’s work because it acts as a “holotropic” and transpersonal vessel. It is a vessel capable of changing death and rebirth experiences.

If we add symbolic images and archetypes from various aborigine and shamanic cultures to this energy transforming vessel, the experience of rebirth passes through a holographic tunnel - a space-time vortex - and encounters other domains.

All of this is activated in non ordinary states of consciousness which Grof has studied in detail for 40 years using scientific research with or without the help of LSD. Grof has turned around work on non ordinary states of consciousness and has explored intra-uterine dimensions and BPM, experimenting on himself with the use of LSD and psychedelic substances as a powerful means of exploration thus facilitating access to transpersonal dimensions and “non ordinary states of consciousness.”

The spectrum of transpersonal experiences has been widely accepted by the transpersonal current to which Grof refers but not by mainstream academic science which puts spirituality on a level with schizophrenia. Grof is fighting to legitimise his theory which has meanwhile gained success amongst physicists like Capra, Fred Alan Wolf, Nick Herbert and Amit Goswami who are intent on getting rid of the old Cartesian paradigm which still dominates academic science.

Karl Pribram’s holographic model of the brain, David Bohm’s Holomovement (holoflux) and Ervin Laszlo’s psi-field have notably influenced Grof’s ideas. Representing a revision of the Cartesian paradigm, Grof has filled his books with terminology borrowed from Philisophia Perennis (Grof, S., 1998, The Cosmic Game: Exploration of the Frontiers of Human Consciousness).

Grof’s latest book, The Ultimate Journey (2006), is a shamanic adventure. It is an investigation of relatively modern studies of the mysteries of death and rebirth and NDEs. He expands on the new cartography model of the psyche immersed in 50 years of research into psychedelic and holotropic therapies and Spiritual emergency crises.


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